Dental implants are a time tested solution to restoring missing teeth.
Having difficulty chewing because of a missing tooth? Or tired of dentures sliding out of position in the mouth?
Find a permanent solution for missing teeth with dental implants and give your smile the second chance it deserves.
Dental implants permanently fill up gaps due to lost teeth. They also protect the other teeth and reduce bone. They are durable and are made to look and feel just like your natural teeth. Once completed, you might even forget they are replacements.
A dental implant is a replacement for a lost tooth and comprises three parts:
Dental implants mimic natural teeth and are surgically anchored into place on top of the jawbone. As a permanent fixture in your mouth, they cannot be taken out at night, unlike dentures, which will need to be removed before bed time.
Bone grafting may be required if there is bone loss or low bone density in the jaw. Having a bone graft can help to stimulate bone growth and prepare the jaw bone for dental implants.
Dental implants are surgically placed beneath the gum line, at the top of your jaw bone.
Your dental surgeon will start the dental implant procedure with anesthesia to numb the surgery site before making a small incision into the gum line. A tooth socket for the implant is created by drilling into the bone. The oral surgeon then inserts titanium screws that act as anchors for holding dental crowns or bridges once the site is healed after a few months.
A tooth-shaped cap called an abutment is screwed onto the titanium screw. Once the implant is in place, your dentist will place some sutures to close the gums.
The whole process takes about 6 months to a year on average.
Our dentist will assess your overall health and ability to accept the implant before starting the treatment plan. In some cases, a bone or gum graft may also be done on the site of the implant to ensure there is enough support before inserting the implant.
Once the implant is placed in the bone, it is left to heal for about 4 to 6 more months. A crown will then be created, installed, and you will be ready to show off your brand new tooth.
Dental implants are a more permanent solution to lost teeth than dentures, and can help to anchor partial dentures to your mouth. They are also more comfortable to chew and speak with than dentures, because they usually feel just like natural teeth.
You can also expect to improve your ability to chew and speak after a successful dental implant.
You should not feel any pain during dental implant procedures due to the anesthesia.
During the healing process, your dentist can advise you on post-oral surgery care and how to minimise the risk of infection. You may have some discomfort or swelling that lasts about a few days up to a week after surgery. Other side effects may include bruising or minor bleeding, for which your dentist may prescribe painkillers.
Dental implants may look and feel more natural compared to other types of teeth replacement methods.
However, it is worth it to note that the roots of your natural teeth contain nerve endings which enable you to feel sensations such as temperature and pressure. And because dental implants are artificial teeth without roots that contain nerve endings, you will likely not feel the exact same sensations in the dental implant as you would with your natural teeth.
At NTUC Health Denticare, a single dental implant will cost from $1,700* with a general dentist, or $2,100* with a specialist, depending on the complexity of the case. An implant crown will cost from $1,800 onwards.
A number of factors will determine how much a dental implant costs and what you should expect from the timeline. These factors include but are not limited to:
Patients who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents of Singapore may be able to claim a portion of their dental implant surgery expenses from their Medisave Account.
In the event that your Medisave balance is insufficient, your immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings or children) may use their Medisave to help you with the bill payment. Please note that the use of Medisave is still subject to Medisave withdrawal limits.
Do note that dental implant procedures are not subsidised under CHAS, Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation discounts.
To offset your dental implant cost, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents can claim up to $950 for a single tooth implant from their Medisave account.
Procedures Covered | Medisave Withdrawal Limit (S$) |
---|---|
Single dental implant | Up to $950 |
Note: The amount claimable is stipulated in surgery tables set by MOH in Singapore. The above table is only a simple guide and the final amount may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the withdrawal limits set by MOH. The final amount deductible from the Medisave Account is dependent on the final approval by MOH.
Whether an implant can be done by a general dentist or requires a specialist, depends on the complexity of the situation. This is determined on a case by case basis after a consultation with our NTUC Health Denticare dentists.
Here are some tips to help you look after your implants, as well as your remaining natural teeth
Click here for more answers to frequently asked questions.
Dental Implant Consultation (GP) | $54.50 |
Dental Implant per tooth (GP)* | From $1,853.00 |
Dental Implant Consultation (Specialist) | $109.00 |
Dental Implant per tooth (Specialist)* | From $2,289.00 |
Bone Graft | From $327.00 |
Implant Crown | From $1,962.00 |
*Medisave claimable
For more information on how you can claim from Medisave, please visit our Fees page.
Before recommending dental implants, our dentist will assess your overall health, ability to accept the implant and other factors that may affect your treatment. Speak to our dentists for an in-depth consultation to understand your needs.
Titanium dental implants are safe and have been used in dentistry for many years due to the low chance of complications. They are less reactive to physical and chemical corrosion than other metals and last for long periods of time. However, like all implants, there are still small risks of reaction with other metals in the mouth.
A dental implant looks and functions just like natural teeth, but may not feel exactly the same. Natural teeth have nerves in its roots that pick up sensations of pressure and temperature when you chew on food. A dental implant does not have roots or nerves. Therefore, any sensations you feel will come from the nerves in the surrounding gums and not the tooth itself.
You should not experience pain as the series of treatments for dental implants will be done under general or local anaesthesia. Post-surgery swelling and discomfort can be managed by medication provided by our dentist. However, should you experience persistent pain or infection, call us at 6336 6222.
On average, dental implants take about 6 to 8 months to heal. However, the amount of time taken to completely recover from dental implant surgery can increase, depending on your body’s ability to recover, whether you have any pre-existing health conditions, or whether you need to undergo special procedures before dental implant surgery.
With proper care and good health, dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime.
Right after dental implant surgery, you should follow our care tips for post-oral surgery. Some tips include avoiding food with extremely cold or hot temperatures, and eating soft food such as mashed potatoes, yogurts and smoothies. Try to chew on the side of the mouth that is not operated on.
You should also avoid hot, spicy or hard food that may irritate the surgery site and stay away from coffee and alcohol that may affect the healing process.
After each surgical procedure, avoid strenuous activities like intense exercise or hiking, for a week to two weeks to allow the site to heal. Avoid biting down on hard food on that side of the mouth. For more information, visit our pre-and-post oral surgery resources guide.
The most straightforward way to care for the dental implant is to treat it as you would any other tooth - with diligent care. Maintain excellent oral health habits and regular dentist visits with NTUC Health Denticare.
Whether an implant can be done by a general dentist or requires a specialist, depends on the complexity of the situation. This is determined on a case by case basis after a consultation with our NTUC Health Denticare dentists.
The main difference between these two teeth replacement methods is that dental implants are fused to the jaw while dentures need to be removed nightly.
They also differ in longevity. With proper care and good health, dental implants can last for over 10 years or even longer, whereas removable dentures will need to be replaced every 5-8 years.
Dental implants are also more comfortable as they are structured to mimic the natural tooth by being placed directly into the jaw bone. Some people find conventional dentures uncomfortable because they may create a sensation of bulkiness or crowdedness in the mouth. This may result in the patient’s speech being affected.
Dental bridges will require preparation of adjacent teeth beside the gap to accept a dental crown. The crowns are linked to each other via a metal or zirconia framework spanning across the space, with a ceramic tooth built over it to cover the gap.
A dental implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone and does not require preparation of the neighbouring teeth which may still be in good condition.
In general, dental implants are safe for seniors who are in good health, have healthy gums and sufficient bone quality to place an implant. As always, please consult your nearest NTUC Health Denticare dentist to assess if you are suitable for dental implants.
NTUC Health Denticare (Ang Mo Kio)
53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 #03-17 Ang Mo Kio Hub Singapore 569933
NTUC Health Denticare (Bedok)
HeartBeat@Bedok 11 Bedok North Street 1, #01-04 Singapore 469662
NTUC Health Denticare (Bishan)
Block 510 Bishan Street 13 #01-08 Singapore 570510
NTUC Health Denticare (Choa Chu Kang)
309 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4 #03-01 Choa Chu Kang Centre (Beside Lot 1) Singapore 680309
NTUC Health Denticare (Clementi)
Blk 431 Clementi Avenue 3 #01-304 Singapore 120431
NTUC Health Denticare (Harbourfront)
1 Maritime Square #03-17 Harbourfront Centre Singapore 099253
NTUC Health Denticare (Jurong Point)
1 Jurong West Central 2 #B1A-20B Jurong Point Shopping Centre Singapore 648886
NTUC Health Denticare (Marine Parade)
80 Marine Parade Road #05-02 Parkway Parade Singapore 449269
NTUC Health Denticare (Orchard)
220 Orchard Road #02-12 Midpoint Orchard Singapore 238852
NTUC Health Denticare (Raffles Place)
No. 1 Marina Boulevard #B1-04 One Marina Boulevard Singapore 018989
NTUC Health Denticare (Serangoon)
Blk 261 Serangoon Central Drive #01-09 Singapore 550261
NTUC Health Denticare (Tampines)
300 Tampines Avenue 5 #01-05 Tampines Junction Singapore 529653
NTUC Health Denticare (Tanjong Pagar)
Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-55 Singapore 082001
NTUC Health Denticare (Thomson)
301 Upper Thomson Road #02-12 Thomson Plaza Singapore 574408
NTUC Health Denticare (Toa Payoh)
500 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #B1-31 Toa Payoh HDB Hub Singapore 310500
NTUC Health Denticare (Woodlands)
The Woodgrove 30 Woodlands Avenue 1, #02-05 Singapore 739065
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